The municipality of Kaolack, through the Local Economic Bureau (BEL), has launched the second phase of financing for the Women's Promotion and Solidarity Economy Program (Profem) in partnership with FONGIP.

Funding of 500 million CFA francs has been mobilized to help women start businesses.

According to Ndiaya Mbow Tall, first deputy mayor of Kaolack, this second phase of funding for the Profem program, following an initial disbursement of 50 million CFA francs, marks a significant expansion of the initiative. The first phase was completed two years ago, with a funding window open to groups in each zone, encompassing between four and six neighborhoods, receiving 25 million CFA francs in funding.

According to the elected official, in the second phase they are supported by FONGIP. The municipality of Kaolack has approved an investment budget of 100 million and FONGIP 400 million, bringing the total to 500 million.

As a reminder, the Profem is a financing program consisting of three phases. "We formalized them into cooperatives within the women's economic centers that were launched. There are also training centers for access to trades, and thirdly comes the financing, which we have the honor of implementing today," explained Ms. Mbow Tall.

Each cooperative comprises between four and six districts, for a total of 328 groups. The processing of local products is the primary activity identified by the Senegalese government's Vision 2050.

Kaolack is a predominantly agricultural region with potential in the development of local agricultural products.